Junior Student Seminar (JSS1 and JSS2)
Ages 10-15
JSS Session 2
July 31 to August 12, 2012
JSS Session I
June 12 to June 24, 2012
Junior Student Seminars (JSS) are designed for young musicians who want to advance their musical skills in an intense, creative, nurturing environment. The JSS curriculum includes two private lessons per week on a primary instrument and one optional lesson per week on a secondary instrument. An extra secondary instrument lesson can be added for an additional fee.
In addition, students have the opportunity to develop their musicianship through composition, chamber music, studio classes, string techniques class, wind ensemble, orchestra, choir and performance class. Advanced students are encouraged to participate in the concerto competition held during the first week of camp, for an opportunity to perform as soloist with the orchestra during the final concert.
Come join us in 2012 to improve your musical skills, perform with other young musicians from all over the country, and enjoy outdoor summer fun in the beautiful Rocky Mountains!
"This was my child's first overnight camp and she loved it." -- JSS Parent
"I loved the aspect of it being in the middle of the woods, with all of the authentic cabins, lodge dining hall etc., and also all the great counselors and teachers who helped me to progress in my musical ability and made me feel welcome." - JSS Student
Learn more about student life at Rocky Ridge.
Admission Requirements
Completed online application- Non-refundable $75 application fee (payment online)
- Teacher recommendation letter (waived for returning students)
Auditions -- JSS seminars do not require an audition for admission to the program, except for the Honors Ensembles and Composition Program (see below). We encourage students, however, to audition at the time of application—either live at one of our road show locations or by e-audio file. Upon acceptance to the JSS program, we will ask those who have not yet sent an audition to do so, for the purpose of assigning music for both small and large ensembles before camp starts. This will allow us to send you the music to practice ahead of time. For your audition, please use the guidelines below for the honors audition procedure.
Applicants can easily and securely submit audition files of any size in audio, video, and pdf. Acceptable file formats are
- Audio - mp3, mp4, wav, wma, ogg vorbis
- Video - avi, mov, mp4, mpeg, mpg, qt, wmv, vob
- Compositions - pdf
After submitting the online application for admission, instructions for uploading audition files will automatically be sent in the confirmation message. Contact the Rocky Ridge office if you have not received these instructions.
Honors Chamber Ensembles and Composition Program
An audition for admission is required for the Honors Ensembles and Composition Program. Merit scholarships of up to $250 per ensemble member will be awarded. Advanced players are invited to audition to be part of the Honors Chamber Ensembles.
To apply for an honors ensemble, please send an e-audio file of a short solo and a major scale demonstrating applicant’s instrument range. Include the applicant’s name, instrument, title of piece, movement, and composer with the audition file.
String Quartet - 2 violins, viola, cello
Woodwind Quintet - flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, French horn
Brass Quintet - 2 trumpets, French horn, trombone, tuba
Piano Trio - piano, violin, cello
Piano Duet - 2 pianos
Saxophone Quartet – 2 alto saxophones, 1 tenor saxophone, 1 baritone saxophone
Composition Program -- Students ages 10 to 15 who wish to major in composition and mentor with a distinguished faculty member are invited to submit sample scores. Selected students will receive up to $250 scholarship, and if feasible, the winning compositions will receive a reading by faculty artists during JSS session. Scores may be for any instrumentation; length between 3 and 10 minutes. Interested students must submit a pdf of their sample composition and, if available, an e-audio file.
Please see the JSS Costs page for tuition and fees
Application Deadlines
Notifications will go out by March 1 for complete applications received by February 15.
Notifications will go out by April 1 for complete applications received by March 15.
| Typical Daily JSS Student Schedule | |
|---|---|
| 7:30 a.m. | Breakfast |
| 8:00 a.m. | Composition Class A / Practice / Lessons |
| 9:00 a.m. | Composition Class B / Practice / Lessons |
| 10:00 a.m. | Chamber Music |
| 11:00 a.m. | Wind Ensemble / String techniques / Practice / Lessons |
| 12:00 p.m. | Lunch |
| 12:45 p.m. | Orchestra / Piano or Voice Class |
| 3:00 p.m. | Recreation |
| 4:30 p.m. | Chamber Music |
| 5:30 p.m. | Dinner |
| 6:15 p.m. | Practice / Lessons |
| 7:15 p.m. | Performance Class |
| 8:15 p.m. | Choir |
| 9:45 p.m. | Curfew |
Detailed 2012 JSS Schedules
JSS1 Daily Schedule JSS2 Daily Schedule
Concerto Competition
Both YAS and JSS student have a great opportunity to audition for the Concerto Competition. Contestants may audition on any solo work with orchestral accompaniment that has been approved by RRMC. Complete the online Concerto Competition application listing your proposed repertoire by May 1. Selections should not exceed 10 minutes in length for JSS.
Please specify your solo instrument, the movement length, the title of the piece (including Op., K., Hob., No., etc.), the composer, movement number and title.
Concerto Competition Dates
JSS1: Audition on Saturday June 16 for an opportunity to perform on June 24.
JSS2: Audition on Saturday August 4 for an opportunity to perform on August 12.
Performance Standard
For JSS students, memorization is strongly encouraged but not required.
Piano Accompaniment Music
Students must submit an original (not a photo copy) of the piano score to be used for piano accompaniment to the RRMC office by 6:00 p.m. on the first day of your camp session.
Concerto Competition application
A Rocky Ridge Day
